EU to fund court for Kosovo organ harvesting probe

Associated Press

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — A senior European Union official says the 28-member bloc plans to set up an international tribunal in the Netherlands that would focus exclusively on crimes allegedly committed by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian rebels during their war with Serbia in 1998-1999.

The official told The Associated Press that hearings will take place in the Netherlands to protect documents and witness' identities. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is yet to be approved by Kosovo's assembly.

The creation of the court highlights the failure by both Kosovo authorities and its international backers to establish a sound justice system in Kosovo.

The court will deal with allegations of organ-harvesting by rebels and the disappearance of some 400 people, claims which allegedly implicate Kosovo's prime minister, Hashim Thaci.